30 Play Therapy Games That Support Mental Health and Build Skills

Professional Child Psychologist Lady Having Therapy Session With Cute Little Girl

Playing games in therapy isn’t just for kids—they can help clients of all ages feel safe, express themselves, and build important life skills. From classic board games to video games, play can reduce resistance, support emotional processing, and strengthen communication. With thoughtful selection, games become powerful therapeutic tools tailored to each client’s needs.

Family Therapy for Adults: Healing Grown-Up Relationships

Therapist, psychologist talking and counselling to people in group therapy.

Family therapy isn’t just for kids—adult children and parents can also benefit from it. It helps address long-standing patterns, improve communication, and navigate changing dynamics like caregiving or new relationships. Whether for healing past wounds or strengthening current bonds, family therapy offers support at any life stage.

How to Go “No-Contact,” And Is Cutting Family Off Really the Best Option?

Caucasian woman girl female at bedroom is packaging and planning leave

No-contact, the act of cutting off all communication with family, is a serious and often painful decision typically made after all other efforts to set boundaries or repair relationships have failed. While increasingly common, it should be approached with careful reflection and professional support. For many, there are alternative paths—like therapy, limited contact, or boundary-setting—that may offer healing without complete estrangement.

Confabulation in Kids: When It Looks Like Lying but Isn’t

Arms crossed, discipline or scolding with mother and daughter in bedroom

Some children may appear to lie, but they’re actually experiencing a memory error called confabulation, where their brain unintentionally creates false memories they truly believe are real. This can be especially common in kids with more vulnerable nervous systems, and confronting them often leads to more dysregulation.

Empathy for Children Struggling with Enuresis and Encopresis

Sad teenage boy in a blue shirt and jeans. The child is sitting with holds his head and suffers.

Enuresis and encopresis—urinating or defecating in clothing—can be distressing for caregivers, but these behaviors often stem from trauma, neglect, or medical issues rather than carelessness or defiance. Children who struggle with these conditions need empathy and support, not shame or punishment.

Executive Function and Medication Compliance in ADHD

Women organizing his medication into pill dispenser.

Individuals with ADHD often struggle with medication compliance due to executive functioning deficits, which impact their ability to establish and maintain routines. Providing structured supports such as reminders, habit stacking, and technology-based solutions can improve adherence and overall functioning. Caregivers and providers should also explore additional factors influencing noncompliance to create a comprehensive support plan.

The Strengths of ADHD: Energy, Focus, and Problem-Solving

Calm amongst the chaos.

ADHD comes with unique strengths, including hyperfocus, creative problem-solving, and the ability to see multiple perspectives. Individuals with ADHD can be highly determined, compassionate, and resilient, making them valuable assets in both personal and professional settings. When channeled effectively, their energy and focus can transform challenges into remarkable strengths.

Consent and Adult Mental Health Therapy

No one can force an adult to attend therapy, as informed consent is a crucial part of the counseling process. Ethical codes require therapists to ensure clients understand topics like confidentiality and counselor credentials before participating. If you want someone to join you in therapy, discuss the benefits with them and extend an invitation, but the choice remains theirs.

Building Connection: Scaffolding Eye Contact for Children with Trauma

Parents teaching baby son to walk, sitting on kitchen floor

Eye contact is a key part of Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI), helping to build connection, attachment, and a sense of safety for children from hard places. Scaffolding eye contact gently, using strategies like playful engagement or softening facial expressions, ensures it feels safe rather than intimidating.

Marriage Foundations Part 6: Protecting Our Home – A Strong Protective Layer

A strong marriage is built on trust and commitment, strengthened by the Fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Pursuing these qualities fosters healthy communication and a resilient relationship.